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State University of New York 
General Education Framework 
(SUNY-GE)

The SUNY General Education Framework is required fall 2023, for new first-time students entering A.A., A.S., and baccalaureate-degree programs; and required fall 2024, for new first-time students entering A.A.S. degree programs.

SUNY General Education Knowledge and Skills Areas, and Core Competencies

All students enrolled in programs leading to A.A., A.S., and baccalaureate degrees are required by the State University of New York to complete 30 credits of SUNY General Education Framework (SUNY-GE) in a minimum of seven of 10 areas. All students enrolled in A.A.S. degrees are required to complete 20 credits of SUNY-GE in four specified areas. Students must take the following:

1. Knowledge and Skills Areas 

The following four are required for all undergraduate-degree programs:

    • Communication – written and oral
    • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
    • Mathematics (and quantitative reasoning)
    • Natural Sciences (and scientific reasoning)

In addition, a minimum of three of the following six are required for A.A., A.S., and all baccalaureate-degree programs:

    • Humanities
    • Social Sciences
    • The Arts
    • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
    • World History and Global Awareness
    • World Languages

2. Core Competencies (infused throughout the General Education program)

    • Critical Thinking and Reasoning
    • Information Literacy

Note: Visit SUNY General Education listing or course descriptions to determine which Suffolk County Community College courses fulfill the SUNY General Education Framework.

Communication – written and oralGECO

Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social JusticeGEDI

U.S. History and Civic EngagementGEUS

General Education Requirement 
(SUNY-GER)

The SUNY General Education Requirement will be phased out for students entering a program fall 2023 or later. Contact an advisor for guidance on meeting degree requirements.

All students enrolled in programs leading to A.A., A.S., and baccalaureate degrees are required by the State University of New York to complete 30 credits of SUNY-GER general education in a minimum of seven of 10 areas. Students must take at least one course each in both Mathematics and Basic Communication and in five of the following eight areas:

  1. Natural Sciences
  2. Social Sciences
  3. American History
  4. Western Civilization
  5. Other World Civilizations
  6. Humanities
  7. The Arts
  8. World Languages

Students who are planning to transfer to SUNY baccalaureate programs are strongly encouraged to take three of the five courses in Natural Science, Social Science, and the Humanities, as these areas are required in nearly all bachelor’s degree programs.

In addition to the seven of 10 course requirement, students must also demonstrate the following competencies, which are infused throughout the General Education program:

  1. Critical Thinking (Reasoning)
  2. Information Management

See list below to determine which Suffolk County Community College courses fulfill the SUNY General Education requirements.

American HistoryGAMH

For All Students

American History (Restricted)GAHR

For Students Scoring above 85 on NYS American History Regents

Western CivilizationGWCV

Basic CommunicationGBC